Assuming no sudden resignations, the Tories will be led by David Cameron during the general election campaign and Labour will be led by Gordon Brown. But, from what we learned in Bournemouth it seems as if the Lib Dems will be led by a curious hybrid – Vick Clable.

I'm referring, of course, to the Nick Clegg-Vincent Cable double-act. Cable is deputy leader and has been a Lib Dem superstar for some years now. But today we found out that during the election campaign he will get virtually equal billing to Clegg. The Independent quotes a senior Lib Dem as saying:

Nick, of course, is the leader. But we will be talking about the 'Nick and Vince' show. Vince is much more than just a deputy in name. They are already working closely together on policy and are comfortable with that.

When this was raised at a briefing this morning, I expected Danny Alexander, Clegg's chief of staff, to play the idea down. Most leaders don't like being overshadowed by their deputies. But instead Alexander was happy to confirm that Clable – my term, not theirs – will take to the road quite often.

There will be several days a week when during the campaign [Clegg and Cable] will be together.

You can see why the idea has its attractions. The Tories have a leader who represents youth. Labour's got experience. With Clegg and Cable in tandem, the Lib Dems can argue that they are offering both.